Orangeburg, SC – Bluefield State University softball headlined the 2026 CIAA post-season honors, led by Coach Holli Holliday being named Coach of the Year and Senior Paige Whittington earning Player of the Year.
Paige Whittington was named CIAA Player of the Year and earned All-CIAA First Team (Outfield) after leading the Big Blue during the regular season with a .476 batting average. Whittington collected 68 hits, including 14 doubles and four triples. On the bases, Whittington has been a constant threat, recording 49 stolen bases. Defensively, she maintained a .958 fielding percentage with 87 putouts.
Skyy Hicks earned All-CIAA First Team and All-Rookie Team honors. Hicks finished the regular season with a .372 batting average and 42 hits, including 10 doubles, four triples and three homeruns for 22 RBIs. Hicks also added 14 stolen bases.
Janessah Nappi earned All-CIAA Second Team honors, carrying a .339 average into the tournament and ranks second team with 26 RBIs. She has recorded 14 doubles and one home run while striking out only 17 times in 122 at-bats. Behind the plate, Nappi anchored the defense with a .972 fielding percentage and 117 putouts.
Kyla Jones earned All-CIAA Second Team honors, providing a steady presence at first with 175 putouts and a .962 fielding percentage. At the plate, she contributed 17 hits and 12 RBIs during the 2026 campaign.
Amaya Corona earned All-CIAA Second Team and All-Rookie honors. In her debut season, Corona batted .319 with 22 hits and 13 RBIs. Defensively, she recorded 46 assists and 38 putout.
Hailey Trujillo and Alexis Coles were also named to the CIAA All-Rookie Team. Trujillo finished the regular season with a .302 batting average, contributing 13 hits and eight RBIs. Coles added depth to the infield with 19 hits, 12 RBIs, and 41 assists in the field.
Coach of the Year – Holli Holiday, Bluefield State University
Player of the Year – Paige Whittington, Bluefield State University
Pitcher of the Year – Sydney Seals, Bowie State University
Rookie of the Year – Aaliyah Amos, Bowie State University
2026 All–CIAA First Team
Pitcher – Sydney Seals, Bowie State University
Catcher – Jeniah Williams, Claflin University
First Base – Aniylah Lane, Johnson C. Smith University
Second Base – Aniyah Jackson, Claflin University
Third Base – Mikayla Amos, Bowie State University
Shortstop – Sydney Jackson, Fayetteville State University
Outfield – Paige Whittington, Bluefield State University
Outfield – Sky Hicks, Bluefield State University
Outfield – Lauryn Foster, Claflin University
Designated Player – Michaela Cromarty, Claflin University
Utility Player – Taylor Dawkins, Bowie State University
2026 All–CIAA Second Team
Pitcher – Katelynn Grissom, Claflin University
Catcher – Janessah Nappi, Bluefield State University
First Base – Kyla Jones, Bluefield State University
Second Base – Layla Smith, Winston-Salem State University
Third Base – Xztashya Porter, Fayetteville State University
Shortstop – Amaya Corona, Bluefield State University
Outfield – Cyndia Dobbins, Shaw University
Outfield – Presleigh Braxton, Bowie State University
Outfield – Coreena Dunham, Bowie State University
Designated Player – Madison Hayes, Virginia Union University
Utility Player – Aryana Meadows, Claflin University
2026 All–Rookie Team
Aryana Meadows, Claflin University
Amaya Corona, Bluefield State University
Skyy Hicks, Bluefield State University
Imari Jordan, Shaw University
Aaliyah Amos, Bowie State University
Elisia Gonzalez Pettis, Virginia Union University
Jahzira Hogan, Johnson C. Smith University
Hailey Trujillo, Bluefield State University
Alexis Coles, Bluefield State University
